St Mary's Church
Fairford

New Audio-guide of St Mary’s Church

The new Audio-guide in the Church is now fully operational and available for all visitors to the Church to borrow free of charge, although donations are always very welcome.

The script for the guide was largely the work of the late Denys Hodson, and the voices are those of several well-known actors and actresses, including Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman and Joanna Lumley, as well as some local people. It also contains some details from Keith Barley who was responsible for the restoration of all the windows which was completed in 2010. There is also a set of ten questions for children which are simple to answer after a brief look round.

The Guide really does make the story of the windows and their history come alive and it is strongly recommended for local people as well as visitors.

Stewards Required

The best way to become familiar with the Guide would be to become a Steward in the Church. This need only be for an hour or two at a regular time each week and is invariably an interesting and enjoyable experience. Do please feel free to get in touch with Geoff Hawkes (712053) or Jo Williams ( 713341) if you would like more details.

Harvest Festival 5th October

We will be celebrating Harvest Festival at St Mary’s on Sunday 5th October at 10.00am.

This year we will be supporting the Cirencester Food Bank and would ask you to bring contributions of dried or tinned goods - nothing homemade or fresh unfortunately. These can be brought to either the church beforehand or to the service. As a reminder there is a box at the back of the church for your contributions throughout the rest of the year in the south aisle.

Experience Harvest

The Experience Harvest is an interactive way to explore the rich harvest of our land and the spiritual harvest of our lives, through displays around the church. This is initially for the children at the primary school, but anyone can make a visit to experience it from the 29th September to the beginning of October.

Charity of the Month:
Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

The Institution is a grant making charity which helps farming people in financial difficulty. Tailored to individual needs, confidential support is given to Farmers and Farm-workers of all ages and help can be one off or regular. They can offer advice too, including the state benefits that are available, as well as funding for things like disability equipment, essential household goods and hospital travel costs.

Though RABI does not pay business bills, it can pay for relief farm staff if, for example, someone is unable to work through their own illness or that of a close member of their family. The charity can help with home care fees and home-help costs, and runs two residential homes of its own. It can also pay for training to allow people develop skills they can use to get off farm work to supplement their income.

Please support RABI with a donation and use a gift aid envelope if you can. There is literature on the shelf on the bookcase along the south wall. For further information write to RABI, Shaw House, 27 West Way, OXFORD OX2 0QH. Tel: 01865 724931. RABI Helpline (Freephone) 0300 303 7373
Website.

Previous Charity Fundraising

The July charity was Mission to Seafarers. When the box was emptied in church, the donation amounted to £52.36, to which the PCC will add further amounts. The money in the box for the June charity, Action for Kids, was £34.34 to which, again, the PCC has added further amounts.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST

September 13th

This is a great way to support this church and churches across the county when they most need help. So if you fancy walking, cycling or horse-riding put 13th September in your diary. You can plan your own route between churches depending on how far you want to go and whether you want to be in towns or villages.

You can get a sponsorship form either from the Parish Office (01285 712611) or from Geoff Hawkes, Green Gables, Back Lane, Fairford 01285 712053.

Funday Sundays in 2014

We will now be meeting on the second Sunday of every month.

There will be a Funday Sunday on:
Sunday 14 September

St Mary's Church 4pm-6pm

Crafts, Games, Worship, Cooked Meal
FOR FAMILIES.

No need to book but it will help us with catering if you can let us know that you are coming. If not - just turn up on the day.

If you could help with of these events please talk to one of the LMT members about it or contact Sarah Bottomley (712074) or email stmaryslmt@gmail.com.

NEW FOR SEPTEMBER: Older children welcome to join us for our meal, then take part in crafts and games aimed approximately at nine years to early teens.

Jesus and Me Club

10am St Mary’s Church, Fairford
Stories, craft,
fun and food
From September JAM club will be the FIRST Sunday in the month:
September 7th
October 5th
November 2nd
December 7th

Summer Lunch With Pig Roast

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all those who helped us at last week’s lunch. You all worked so hard in making the day run smoothly. The very generous food donations also went a very long way to making the event a great financial success and we are pleased to announce the profit was £983.96. Thank you to all who give us so much support, we couldn’t do it without you.
B&B

Youth Service Dates

2nd November and 30th November.

Venue will be Lechlade Baptist Church (unless stated) starting at 7.15pm. See poster in porch for details.

News August 2014
News July 2014
News June 2014
News May 2014
News April 2014
News March 2014
News February 2014
News January 2014
St Mary's News Round-Up 2013
St Mary's News Round-Up 2012
St Mary's News Round-Up 2011